Fluorosilane Modification Research Articles

Fabricating Superamphiphobic Surface with Fluorosilane Glued Carbon Nanospheres Films

A stable superamphiphobic surface was successfully prepared with the carbon nanospheres film by means of a two steps method. Carbon nanosphere film was deposited by soot of burning cooking oil followed by fluorosilane modification. The results showed that the fluorosilane adopted for the surface modification can glue the loose carbon nanospheres, and make the surface energy decreased. The method reported here is suitable for the large-scale preparation of superamphiphobic surface. The scanning electron microscopy confirmed the synergistic binary geometric structures at micro- and nanometer scale. Transmission electron microscope examination demonstrated that all the carbon nanospheres have uniform diameter of about 50 nm. This method is cheap, time-saving and easy to control. This result will open a new avenue in the superamphiphobic coating research with utilizing carbon nanospheres in the near future.

Preparation of superhydrophobic titanium surfaces via electrochemical etching and fluorosilane modification

The preparation of superhydrophobic surfaces on hydrophilic metal substrates depends on both surface microstructures and low surface energy modification. In this study, a simple and inexpensive electrochemical method for preparing robust superhydrophobic titanium surfaces is reported. The neutral sodium chloride solution is used as electrolyte. Fluoroalkylsilane (FAS) was used to reduce the surface energy of the electrochemically etched surface. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra, and contact angle measurement are performed to characterize the morphological features, chemical composition, and wettability of the titanium surfaces. Stability and friction tests indicate that the prepared titanium surfaces are robust. The analysis of electrolyte, reaction process, and products demonstrates that the electrochemical processing is very inexpensive and environment-friendly. This method is believed to be easily adaptable for use in large-scale industry productions to promote the application of superhydrophobic titanium surfaces in aviation, aerospace, shipbuilding, and the military industry.